CXC Predoctoral Fellowship Program

Description

The Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) solicits candidates through the CXC Predoctoral Fellowship Program for research in specified areas of high energy astrophysics. The program provides opportunities for PhD students to carry out thesis research work with scientific staff members of the CXC, for a period of two to three years.

The CXC is the Science and Operations Center for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA).

CXC Predoctoral Fellowships are open to students enrolled in a PhD program in astronomy, astrophysics, or related fields. Successful applicants carry out work on their doctoral thesis under the research co-supervision of a CXC staff member, in coordination with formal supervision from their home institution. The CXC co-supervisor coordinates closely with the student's formal supervisor to arrive at a research plan that will lead to a PhD thesis. A list of current CXC predoctoral fellows can be found here.

Candidates are currently being solicited for research in the areas of:

The role of jets and outflows in the growth of early supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution

A more detailed description of this research area can be found here.

Requirements

The requirements for applicants are the following:

Applicants must have completed all coursework and PhD qualification exams prior to the start of the CXC Predoctoral Fellowship.
Applicants must gain approval of the Department Head of their home institution as their degrees will be granted by their home institutions.
CXC Predocs will spend a minimum of two years in residence at the CfA, working with their CXC advisor.

Start Date: For the current solicitation, a start date of September 2024 is desired, although the possibility for a start earlier in the summer may be possible upon discussion with the CXC research advisor.

Compensation: Stipends for the current academic year are $43,860. There may be a small increase each year for inflation. In addition we provide individual or family Health Insurance and Dental Insurance. Funds may also be available for relocation, travel, and other expenses.

Predoc Research Review Committee: In order to support and evaluate the research work of each predoctoral candidate while in residence at SAO, a Predoctoral Research Review Committee (PRRC) is established for each SAO predoc consisting of three members. Each predoctoral candidate presents their work annually to their committee for review and discussion.

NOTE: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) ONLY ISSUES J-1 VISAS TO FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS. The SAO will not be able to issue you an alternative type of visa at the time of your appointment or during your tenure at SAO if you can no longer renew your J visa or have reached the maximum time limitation of this particular visa type. Please contact us before you apply if you have any questions about our visa policy.

Application Procedure (Deadline: 15 May 2024)

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following (as pdf documents) to cxcpredoc@cfa.harvard.edu:

Curriculum Vitae.
Research statement (limited to three pages using 12-point font, including references and figures).
Summary of previous and current research (limited to three pages using 12-point font, including references and figures).
Department Head approval letter.
Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references familiar with the candidate's scientific abilities.
Upon request, candidates will be required to provide transcript of grades (to be sent from your Registrar's Office directly to SAO by email or surface mail).